Tea Time with Jasmine Black

Where Were You?

2010-09-11T10:26:00.003-05:00

Today is a day of remembrance. To all of you who lost a loved one nine years ago, my thoughts and prayers are with. To all of those who have lost a loved one in the years since due to the war, my thoughts and prayers are with you as well. And to all of those who have a loved one in the military in another country still fighting this war, my prayers are with you each day that you may see them again.

Do you remember where you were nine years ago when the news rang out over all media outlets?

I do, like it was yesterday.

I was at the kitchen table about to begin my daughter's homeschool lesson when my husband called. He was on his way home from work...aka...Air National Guard post. He asked me if I had heard or seen the news. I hadn't. He told me how a plane had crashed into one of the towers. I turned on the TV and watched in stunned silence while the second plane crashed into the second tower. I sat on the floor at the end of the bed the rest of the day while my husband tried to get some sleep, which is what I should have been doing since I had to go to work that night...aka...Air National Guard post.

Yes, we were a military family. Both of us were in the Air National Guard and we had two small kids. All I could think was we were at war and our lives would change, possibly forever.

Never once have I regretted joining the military. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I am now out as is my husband. I never went overseas, though my husband did. What can I say, I love America. I love freedom and I'm proud to have served my country. I didn't give the ultimate sacrifice like a lot of men and women have done. My heart goes out to those family left behind. My heart goes out to all those veterans who wish they had paid the total sacrifice. Thank you men and women of the military, without you I would not have the freedom to post as such. Thank you for keeping America free.

Jasmine

I've Been Interviewed

2010-09-08T09:57:00.002-05:00

Minxes of Romance has interviewed little ole me. Stop by here and check it out.

Happy Wednesday!

Jasmine

A Wonderful Surprise

2010-09-03T09:44:00.002-05:00

I woke up today in my normal haze and stumbled to the computer. Okay, so it wasn't early or anything, but the haze comes with the fibro. So, as I was in my haze and just feeling around, I decided to google my name with my latest book title.

Yes, I know all about google alerts, but when your pen name is the same as a porn star you get all kinds of google alerts that have nothing to do with you.

So I pop my name and title into the box and start to browse the replies and I came across a reader review. I was so excited as the book has only been out for days. But there it was on goodreads in all its glory.

Lisa on goodreads says, "I was hooked from page one, completely stunned by the conflict at the story’s climax, and entirely invested in the untangling of the events surrounding the two men."

Y0u can read the entire review here.

Thank you, Lisa! You have made my entire weekend.

Jasmine

Say it Again - Excerpt

2010-09-02T09:42:00.002-05:00

For some odd reason I never posted an excerpt of Say it Again. I usually do for upcoming releases. So by request - which I love the request - here is an excerpt.

The evening approached at rapid speed. Too fast for Wade. He took a deep breath and straightened his tie, trying to gain the confidence to walk out on that stage.

It was the annual fireman’s charity auction. No big deal. He’d participated for the last five years. Some woman would bid, they’d go to dinner, and maybe she’d want sex and maybe she wouldn’t. But all of that was before he’d come out of the closet a month ago. This year he feared no one would bid. Or even worse, people would boo or throw things at him.

How could he be gay? After all, he was a big, beefy fireman and everyone knew gay men were fashion designers or hairdressers, right? Well, at least that’s what everyone in town had asked him over the last few weeks. His last girlfriend called him up crying, wanting to know if she had turned him on to men. Why didn’t people understand he was just attracted to the same sex? Always had been, but never acted on it.

“Wade, you’re up,” the chief’s wife, Maggie, called to him. Maggie organized the event every year to raise money for the department and plenty of women showed up, cash money in hand. “You’ll do fine. And if no one bids, I will.”

He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Maggie, but I’m not sure Chief would be happy about that.”

“Oh, poo. Mrs. Harold’s all ready put the word out that she’s bidding on Eddie. If he can go out to dinner with another lady for charity, I can spend the evening over lobster with you.”

Wade laughed, but fidgeted with his tie again.

“Stop fussing. You look great.”

The auctioneer looked down at his program. “Next up, we have Wade Hartman.”
Wade walked up the stairs and stepped into the lights. The crowd grew quiet and all eyes bore into him. Taking another breath, he walked to the center like every other year, took off his jacket, and tossed it over his shoulder.

“Standing at six-foot-two-inches with black hair and green eyes, Fireman Hartman benches two-fifty and runs the mile in five minutes flat.” The auctioneer looked up from his note cards and cleared his throat. “Let’s start the bidding at one hundred. Do I have one hundred?”

Wade forced a smile to charm the crowd, but inside his nerves screamed to run that mile now, out the door, down the street, and never come back. Last year they’d started the bid at two hundred and he went for six.

No one spoke up.

He looked over at Maggie who gave him a reassuring thumbs up. Turning back to the crowd, he walked down the catwalk and modeled for all it was worth, smiling and winking at the women.

“How about seventy-five? Can I get seventy-five?”

Anger began to boil in his veins. For Christ’s sake it was for charity, after all. The men needed new equipment for their safety. And he did risk his lives for these people every day.

The auctioneer cleared his throat again and frowned. “Fifty? Come on, people.”

Maggie appeared at the side of the stage, mouth open, about to speak when a voice boomed from the crowd. “One thousand!”

The crowd oohed, and he scanned to see who had bid.

“Could you say that again?” The auctioneer strained to find the bidder.

A man, decked out in an Armani suit, light brown hair, tall, and broad shoulders, stepped forward and lifted his number. “One thousand dollars.”

Jasmine

I've Been Interviewed!

2010-09-01T18:51:00.006-05:00

I was interview at Coffee Time Romance.

I know. I know. I'm supposed to be a tea place. But can't we all just get along? I think so. Anyway, I think Lori did a great job with the interview, so be sure to check it out.

Jasmine

And the winner is...

2010-08-28T21:56:00.003-05:00

After a long day of running to town, making phones call and so on, I decided to go out to eat for dinner. Drug the kids out as hubby stayed home, but kids were happy to be out on the town.

Anyway...the winner of one ecopy of Say it Again is...

Piper!

I think the odds were stacked in her favor. hehe. Thanks to everyone who entered. And I believe I have a new follower (waving hi.) So I have hit the double digits on followers and it only took me...um...I don't think I'll go there, but I do appreciate each and every one of my readers.

Have a great night and curl up with a good book.

Jasmine

Last Day to Enter

2010-08-27T10:16:00.003-05:00

Only one more day to enter to win. Tomorrow is release day and I will be drawing a name. So be sure to comment on any post this week. I think I did a pretty good job only missing one day of posting. So I'm happy with myself as well.

But come on, who can resist a fireman with a burning desire? Or a hot, take-charge, rich business man with a dark secret?

Jasmine

And the Countdown Continues.

2010-08-25T08:58:00.002-05:00

Is it Wednesday? I think it is. That means only 3 more days to go. And I have to leave early today to run my son to the dentist. So what's on your mind today? I'd love to hear. Tell me anything. Even about your own new or upcoming releases. Or tell me about a good review you received. For all you readers out there, tell me about a good book you read or what's next in your TBR pile. The sky is the limit.

Have a great day everyone. I'm off.

Jasmine

4 More Days To Go

2010-08-24T09:44:00.002-05:00

We are one day closer to the release of Say it Again.

Today I want to talk about characters. I know everyone has been asked what they like in a main character. But I want to know about secondary characters. What do you like about them, don't like about them. When do you need them and when don't you. And what about secondary characters and subplots? Do you like them?

I ask because of a book I read recently. It had a certain secondary character in it with a subplot that I felt was underdeveloped and only used when the author needed to interject a line here or there. It felt as if the author intended to develop it, but, in the mist of writing, let it fall to the wayside. It really didn't make sense to be in there and it had no baring on the story whatsoever, except to place the secondary character in a location at a certain time in the story. I know that doesn't make much sense, but I refuse to give away the story or bash the author. I just want to know how everyone else feels about secondary characters. I have no problems with them popping in and out of a story to help the plot along. But I feel if there is a subplot going on with them, then they need to be developed and the subplot fleshed out.

Tell me what you think. Or just leave me a hello to be entered to win.

Jasmine

Countdown Continues

2010-08-23T11:28:00.003-05:00

Only 5 more days to go! But as my internet is not working right today, this is going to be short and sweet.

I want to share a review for 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes.

Shelley, Dark Diva Reviews, 5/5 DIVAS
"This was a fun, fast read and my first from Jasmine Black. I look forward to reading more from her."

Read full review here.

Jasmine

Countdown Contest

2010-08-22T12:15:00.003-05:00

Okay, so only 6 more days until Say it Again is released and the contest for a free ecopy begins today. All you have to do is leave me a comment sometime between now and Friday. Every comment equals one entrance. I will announce a winner on Saturday. Just tell me hello, comment on the story or any of my past stories, tell me what you like or don't like about my blog or just wish me good luck with sales. That's it, not too hard. And all I have to do is come up with something to say everyday this week. But don't worry, if I fail to do so, just leave a comment on any blog posted between now and Friday.

Have a happy week everyone!

Jasmine

Say it Again Blurb

2010-08-21T12:55:00.002-05:00

One month before the annual fireman’s charity auction, fireman, Wade Hartman announces he’s gay. This year when he strolls down the catwalk, he wants to leave with a man. When the only bid he receives is a pity bid, Wade’s crushed, but he lets his friend take him to dinner anyway.

Real estate conglomerate, Jared Kessler’s loved Wade for years. So when he reads the article about the fireman’s charity event, he knows he has to be the winning bidder. Mistaken as an unwanted bidder, Jared refuses to give up. He wants Wade, if only for one night.

One innocent dinner turns into fiery passion. But one night isn’t enough for Wade. He wants Jared for real. The more Wade pushes, the closer he comes to discovering the deep, dark secrets of Jared’s past. Can love conquer Jared’s fears or are his wounds too deep for even love?

Jasmine

The Final Countdown!

2010-08-21T11:52:00.002-05:00

Okay, I don't know why, but that song just popped in my head.

But I do have a countdown going on. I have one week until my new release. Yea! My last book 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes came out back in May and now Say it Again is coming out next Saturday. I am so excited. I feel like my writing is getting back on track with new releases coming out.

(I don't want to dwell on negative thoughts, they take up too much energy that I don't have and bring on stress that I don't need. Having good days with fibro hugely depends on low stress, low energy use, oddly good weather, good sleep and a mix of the right vitamins, therapies and exercises. Wow! lots of things going on there and a lot to sort out to get a good day. So the easiest ones on the list seem to be keeping stress down and not using a lot of energy. ) So yes, it has been over a year since my first publisher went under. It has taken me a bit of time to bounce back so to say. Some authors do it quicker than others, but I am dealing with fibro so I will not judge my writing career against anyone else. But with the second release I feel like things are on the up with my career.

So back to new release - Say it Again. It will be first book with Silver Publishing and my first M/M romance. I wanted to share the blurb with everyone today. I don't know what I am going to do this week to celebrate, but I feel like I need to do something on here. So hopefully while I am drying clothes today or reading a good book I will come up with a plan. Now don't hold me to it because a really bad day could pop up this week, but I want to blog everyday this week until the release. On release day, next Saturday, I plan to do a giveaway of my ebook. I'm not sure on how I will do it. I hate hard things, so probably just a leave me comment for a chance to win. Or maybe one entrance for each comment this week with a drawing on Sat. Yes, let's do that. Each comment you leave me this week will equal one entrance for a free copy of Say it Again starting tomorrow, Sunday Aug. 22. Good luck!

Jasmine

SAY IT AGAIN

2010-08-14T21:40:00.003-05:00

My latest book, Say it Again, will be released in just two weeks on Aug 28, 2010 from Silver Publishing. I'm so excited.

Say it Again is my first M/M romance, but I love how the story just came together for me. I have been wanting to write a story with a fireman for the hero. Usually the main characters talk to me, and usually it's the hero who will talk to me first then I come with the heroine. I've been tossing around the idea of a fireman's auction ball. Somehow the plot just seemed to be old and tired. But something kept nagging me about it - just a fireman and an auction for charity. I think my hero, Wade, was there the whole time, but afraid to speak up. When I decided to try my hand at a M/M romance there he was telling me he was gay and he had a story for me. I'm glad he waited on me because I just connected with Wade and Jared's story and my heart was so involved in the writing. I hope everyone will love it as much as I do. And if you have never read a M/M romance then you might want to give this one a chance.

Check out the great cover art too!

Jasmine

MIA

2010-06-03T14:13:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged in awhile. I have been busy writing a new work. I finished it, but I am now editing, writing the blurb, and synopsis. Though I have started to update my page. As you can see, I added a sidebar of what I am reading. I have also started working on pages to separate my stories into genres to help you when picking out a story to read.

I also hope to have some good new to share soon about another new work. We'll see. Bear with me.

Jasmine

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T20:46:00.003-05:00

To all the mothers out there, have a wonderful day. And for now until May 31, Marital Affair is a free download at Smashwords using this code - FZ23P. Enjoy!

Marital Affair Blurb:

Lucas Sinclair is determined to give his wife Colleen her heart’s desire. Problem is, Colleen yearns for a child and they haven’t been able to conceive. With persistent pressure from their doctor, they agree to see a sex therapist who tells them to have fun and live out their fantasies. Colleen confesses to having one fantasy, but can she let go of her pain long enough to act it out?

Note: There is no adultry in this book.

Jasmine

Released Today - 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes

2010-05-07T08:50:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited! My book 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes has been released today. This is a bitter sweet day for me. It's been a long time coming to say I have a book out by a publisher, and it is like the beginning of my career for me.

Let me explain. I am published in ebook and have been for some time now. But my first publisher scammed me, took my money and ran. I had two books with them. After some time, I got my rights backs and placed them on Smashwords. Now, I like Smashwords, and I have nothing against self-pubbed authors. BUT, a lot of readers do, and they don't like to take a chance with their money on self-pubbed books thinking they are second-rate. So, I have two professionally edited books that had been published and were selling great, to now where they look to be self-pubbed and are not selling. It's heartbreaking to say the least.

Now, I do have two stories published with Coming Together anthologies and one did win an EPIC award this year. I'm so excited about that. Those stories are good, not second-rate at all. They are written from the heart, and I believe in them. Still, it doesn't feel the same for some reason as a book on a publisher's website. I don't know, I can't explain it. So, after a mess for the last year, I feel like today, I am starting over.

Here it is!

Blurb:
Do you believe in love at first sight? How about in the first five minutes?

Nail artist Valerie Jordan doesn't. But she's desperate for a date to play the role of the hot, invented boyfriend everyone believes she has. With only two weeks left until her ten year high school reunion, she takes drastic measures. Speed dating.

Newly divorced mechanic Noah Kittler is celebrating with a speed dating gift from his sister, who's eager to get him back into the swing of things. A drag racing addict, he's always had a passion for speed. Why not try dating the same way?

Before Noah knows it, he meets a natural beauty and he agrees to act as her boyfriend, Sam White. Each lie leads to another and drags them both into one comedic situation after the next. Can they navigate their way through two weeks and then break it off? Or will they lose their hearts to each other and have to come clean?

Warnings: This title contains graphic language, and a f/f/m sex scene.

Buy Link

Jasmine

Costume of the Month

2010-04-29T13:44:00.003-05:00

There are tons of Alice costumes out there since the movie release. I think this one is cool. But I do like the others too. You can check this out and the others at Lingerie Diva. They got Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen and even cat ones. The one in the picture is the Magic Mushroom. Bonus is, they're all on sale.

Jasmine

What Do You and Your Mate Talk About?

2010-04-24T08:04:00.005-05:00

I found this article about what happy couples talk about. I was interested in what it would say and if I discussed the same things with my hubby. Let me explain a bit.

I got a new job in 2007. I worked there about four months when my hubby got hired. We have a large age difference between us so most people think we are the typical "divorced got remarried years later" couple. So, when we'd had lunch together in the cafeteria at work, people started making comments or asking us questions. They said things to my hubby like, how sweet, she looks all dreamy-eyed at you. Or they wanted to know how long we'd been married, because we had that newlywed starry look in our eyes.

Well, we are two divorced people who married each other later. But I got married young the first time. So, I was on marriage number two before most women are on their first. Hubby and I have been married for 11 years. And yes, we still have that look in our eyes. We are happy. That's why I wanted to know how we compared to what the article said.

Most of the things on the list are true. I've told him how when I was five or six at a brownie meeting waiting for my mother to pick me up that I wet my pants. I was so embarrassed I never went back. And he told me how he got lost on the way to prom with his date he'd met at church, they drove through the wrong side of town and got propositioned by a hooker. We talk about political views, current events, TV shows, and even past relationships. We know about each others childhoods.

The one thing I don't want to talk about is the future. Why? Well, because he thinks there's this RV in it, where he drives around and plays golf and I write. I like the travel and the writing part. Shoot, I can even agree to the golf. But the RV? I don't think. The man can't drive a truck without getting stuck or hitting a mailbox. No, I don't want to talk about the future, but I think we'll be just fine.

Jasmine

Eye Catching Cover

2010-04-16T13:36:00.004-05:00

Fabulous! I just love this one. I even read the blurb. Then I read the excerpt, stopping halfway through to buy the book. I hope it's as good as it promises to be.

Redemption by E. Jamie
Cover art by Valerie Tibbs
Published by Amira Press

I checked out Varlerie Tibbs portfolio on her website and it is just beautiful. I usually look at different online stores to find a cover for this edition to my blog. Today, I saw a few that I liked by different publishers. And when I went to Tibbs website, I found most of them there. How ironic is that? Anyway, Ms. Jamie should thank Ms. Tibbs, because the cover make me stop in the first place. Of course the blurb and excerpt reeled me in. And oddly, when I went to Ms. Jamie's website, I discovered that we are Facebook friends. I've been wanting to read more books of my FB friends, so I guess I'll start with this one.

Blurb:

On the run from a murderous uncle, Katie Beaumont married outlaw Ben Cready the day before he was supposed to hang. They shared one night of explosive passion and for six months, she'd believed herself a widow. Now Ben is back to claim what's his, and that includes the sweet bride he'd never been able to forget.

Buy Link

Jasmine

Lingerie of the Month

2010-04-13T07:26:00.004-05:00

Classy!

I really like this sexy babydoll with the lacy robe over it. It's a bit different from what I would normally pick up, but variety is nice.

And this month I am sure you can find it at Lingerie Diva and on sale as of right now. It even comes with the stockings. Definitely a plus when stretching a budget. (Though I think they are getting low on stock and sizes.) They also have free shipping on orders of $75 or more right now.

Jasmine

Procrastination Taken to a New Level

2010-04-10T14:28:00.002-05:00

I think I have out done myself this time. Instead of writing my synopsis last night like I know I need to, I wrote an 800 word short story and the cover letter for it to send off to a magazine. Okay, now I know the synopsis is only supposed to be two pages long, roughly the same length as the short story. So why couldn't I have written an 800 word synopsis? Why do they feel so daunting? I just need to write it. I could have had two or three paragraphs written by the time I wrote this blog.

What are you procrastinating about?

Jasmine - ugh! Another post without a picture.

Missing Pieces

2010-04-08T07:40:00.004-05:00

My EPIC award winning story from the anthology Coming Together: Against the Odds has been broken out into a single read. You can get the story at All Romance eBooks.

I just love the cute cover too. A 12K erotic romance mystery for .69 and the proceeds benefit Autism Speaks - how can you go wrong?

Jasmine

WIP Complete

2010-04-05T17:49:00.002-05:00

I finished the new WIP over the weekend. I had typed the last period a few days before, but I still needed to go back and fill in a few spots that needed researching. After that was done, I felt like the WIP was really complete.

That's when the "day after" hits me. (Today!) I spend a day after I have completed a WIP in total bliss or void. It's like I have nothing to do writing wise. I am complete.

It will hit me tomorrow that I have to write the synopsis, but I prefer to live in ignorance for the rest of the night. One good thing about this WIP is that I know where I want to submit it, so the document was formatted to house rules as I wrote it. Usually I just write the story that is calling to me and then I search for a home.

This time I wrote the story for a certain line I'm hoping to crack. Maybe it'll be a winner and I'll be contracted. If not, I'll have to shop it around. Either way, I really like this story. Okay, maybe I love the hero, but what woman doesn't go weak in the knees from an Irish accent? Yum!

I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens with the submission. In the meantime, I think my next WIP will be a mystery under my other pen name. We'll see. I have to do some research for that book on molten rock. Fun, fun. But it's the second book in a series, so I need to get cracken.

Jasmine - who hates she has no pictures to post with this entry

Interviewed

2010-04-01T11:15:00.001-05:00

I was interviewed today at Roxanne's Realm. It's a great blog, go check it out.

Jasmine

Eye Catching Cover

2010-03-19T13:41:00.004-05:00

Another beautiful cover.

Outlaw Trail by Stacey Coverstone

Cover Art by Trisha FitzGerald

Published by Champagne Books

I searched the web for Trisha FitzGerald, but I came up empty. No web page for the artist. If anyone has it, please paste it in the comments. This cover is just stunning.

Blurb:

At nineteen, Josie Hart has lived a hard life on her New Mexican farm. A cryptic letter gives her a chance to change all that and guides her on a perilous journey toward freedom. But, there are others who want what she’s after, and will stop at nothing to get it.Grey Paladin seeks justice after having had his fortune stolen out from under him. He’ll do whatever it takes to retrieve what’s rightfully his and reunite with the only family he has left. That is, until a feisty girl stands in his way.When Josie and Grey form an uncertain partnership, they must battle outlaws, nature, and each other while riding two hundred miles of dangerous trail to reach their destination. What they discover at the end is something that’s been sorely lacking in both their lives—leading them each to rethink what the future holds.

Buy Link

Jasmine

Costume of the Month

2010-03-17T09:10:00.002-05:00

Love this garden faerie costume. Adorable. And since it's St. Patrick's Day I thought I'd go with something green to add to the closet. Don't like the shoes so much and I'd have to add the stockings. Still, cute, sexy and no tummy hanging out. I mean how many women after having a baby really want to show that off? But if you can, you go girl!

Jasmine

Last Day

2010-03-13T07:28:00.003-06:00

Today is the last day of Read an eBook Week and the last day to get my stories on sale. Marital Affair is still free today at smashwords and All for an Angel is 50% off.

I hope everyone stocked up on free reads this past week. If so, happy reading.

Jasmine

Where to get an eBook

2010-03-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

So now that you know what an ebook is and how to read one, you need to know where to get them.

There are many places to get ebooks. The two best places are online stores and the publishers website. Online stores have more choices because they carry many different publishers just like brick and mortar stores. But buying through a publisher cuts out the middle man and gives the author more royalties.

I like to buy from the publisher to help support authors more. (Contrary to popular belief, most authors don't make huge amounts off books. Especially ebooks as most authors are not big named.)

There are a lot of online stores and probably many I've never even heard of. But I'll list the ones I know. (Remember, I write romance so most of these places will deal with romance books but might carry other genres.)

Amazon
Fictionwise
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
All Romance eBooks
eReader
Palm Store
Mobipocket

Again, you can also buy books right from the publisher's online store.

eXcessica
Lyrical Press
Ellora's Cave
Loose ID
Samhain Publishing
The Wild Rose Press
Eternal Press
Cobblestone Press
FIDO Publishing
Amber Quill Press
Black Lyon Publishing
Cerridwen Press
Echelon Press Publishing
Breathless Press
Freya's Bower
Red Rose Publishing
Total E-bound
Gypsy Shadow Publishing
Shadow Fire Press
Pink Petal Books

Some authors might even have an online store on their websites. I have never bought an ebook this way, but you can.

If there is someplace you'd like to add to the list, be my guest and leave it in the comments. I'm sure I left someone out, but this is a pretty long list.

Jasmine

How to Read an eBook

2010-03-10T00:00:00.006-06:00

If you read yesterday's post, I explained what an ebook is. Now you might be asking how you read one. There are lots of ways.

First, you can read one right on your computer or laptop. No need for fancy devices. If you have Adobe -a free software(usually called PDF)- you can read them right on your computer. Or you can read download them and read them on the internet using HTML. This is not my favorite way to read an ebook, but it can be done. I find that if the story is short enough and the publisher only grants these two options, then I can live with it.

Second, after you have downloaded your PDF or HTML copy of your book, you could print it out. This however gets expensive when you pay for ink.

Third is to download your ebook to some form of ereader device. This might be an ereader or another device that allows ereading applications. This is my favorite way to read books.

I started out reading ebooks on the computer. This didn't last long for me as I like to get comfortable when I read. Most people do. So I got a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA) - a handheld computer or personal organizer. These are devices like the Palm. I got the Palm TX a few years ago. This worked okay. You could load PDF copies of ebooks and read them with a back light. As a writer, I could also write books on the Palm and the transfer the data to my home computer. But this was a bit complicated with the software I had on it. I ended up having to reformat everything I wrote. Maybe I just didn't understand it. The PalmTX software didn't support all forms of ebooks either, so some books were unreadable. I have since learned that I need to add a different software to my computer to change the format to a Palm readable format and then load to my Palm. Huh? Right. I want simple.

Palm has now moved into the field of cell phone/PDAs. I've never owned one of these, but I'd have to think the software is better now and might be an still be an option for ebook reading. This all depends on what you want from your ereader and/or phone. Other phones offer ereading applications that you can download to the phone and load ebooks to. Phones like the iPhone, Blackberry or Android have these capabilities. Even the iPod touch. So you might be able to download a free ap for your phone without buying a true ereader. Try ereader.com for software. Many readers might want to go this route instead of spending a huge amount on a reader device.

Now that my palm is kaput and I do a lot of ebook reading, I have a Sony ereader. There are lots of different ereaders on the market, but their main function is so you can read books on them. Their screens are bigger and they hold more information. I won't get into the differences in ereaders in this post as there is too much information for that. But I will give you a list of some different readers.

Sony (I have the Touch PRS-700and love it)
Kindle
Nook
eSlick
Astak
COOL-ER
iRex (way over priced)

An ereader is the way to go if you read a lot of ebooks and you need a bigger screen to see. I foresee ereaders adding more aps to them like phones are adding reading aps. I can make notes on mine, it has the date and time, search and book mark features, MP3 player and photos.

Still haven't downloaded an ebook this week? What are you waiting for? Not sure where to buy them? Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you the "where".

Jasmine

March 7-13 Read an eBook Week

2010-03-09T00:00:00.002-06:00

This week is read an ebook week.

What's an ebook? I still get this question from family and friends when they find out I'm published in the ebook world.

An ebook is a digital book. Instead of having to go to a brick and mortal store, you can shop online, pick out a book, purchase it, download it and read it all from your house in your pjs. Yep, that's the best part for me - not having to get dressed. But not only that, the possibilities open up. No longer do you have to order a book if your store doesn't have it in stock or scour ebay. Or what if you want an older, out of print book. Hours of searching used book stores or libraries are in the past. Most of these books can be found right on the internet in ebook format.

There are ebooks in all genres and lengths these days. The demand for ebooks are highest among romance and erotica books, but many more genres are gaining ground. This is mostly due to the increased ways to read an ebook, but I won't go into that in this post.

Plus, an ereader can store hundreds of books. No more packing three of four books to go on that vacation. Forget shopping at the small airport bookshop for something to read on the trip home because you didn't pack enough reading material. You could have hundreds of books at your fingertips all on the same device.

Have I sold you on ebooks yet?

If not, maybe you'll like the fact that trees aren't being killed to print books that will end up in landfills. Or maybe you'd like the fact that you can get rid of that stack of 500 books in the corner of your spare bedroom. Maybe you'll find the benefit in kids and college students being able to carry one device with all their textbooks on it and save their backs.

Still not on board? That's okay. Don't get me wrong, people still want to read print books. I get it. And libraries certainly have their place, but even they are starting to carry ebooks. No more lost books for them or late charges. After having your ebook checked out for so many days, it will disappear from your ereader.

Now if you can't tell, I really support ebooks. Which is why, if you haven't read one I encourage you to read one this week. I've even added covers of some really good books by a few different authors. Many places like Smashwords is hosting a huge sale this week. Books are as much as 100% off. Yes free. While others are 25%, 50% or 75% off. With deals like this, what are you waiting for?

Jasmine

I'm an EPIC's eBook Award Winner!

2010-03-07T01:02:00.005-06:00

The Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC) eBook Awards were held in New Orleans over the weekend And I'm a winner.

If you don't know anything about EPIC, they are a professional organization created to give a voice to epublishing. Published or contracted authors in ebook or print can join. Every year they hold a conference and a banquet at the end to award the winners.

I was excited in November when the list came out and an anthology with one of my stories was nominated for best Anthology Erotic Romance/ Erotica and Contributors. Ever since then I have tried not to think about the outcome, but the time has come and I am very happy.

The anthology is Coming Together: Against the Odds and my story in it is called Missing Pieces. The entire book has a mystery theme and all proceeds to go Autism Speaks. This call for submissions really spoke to me as my step-son is autistic and I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful project.

You can purchase a copy of this award winning book at the following locations.

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
SMASHWORDS
1RE
LULU (hardcover)
SCRIBD
BOOKSTRAND
AMAZON / CREATESPACE (paperback)
AMAZON (Kindle)

I want to think everyone who made the selections this year. I want to congratulate all my fellow authors in this anthology. And also congratulate the other anthology finalist.

Anthology Erotic Romance/ Erotica and Contributors

Bittersweet: Stories of Tainted Erotica by Amber Hipple—Logical-Lust Publications
Coming Together: Against the Odds by Alessia Brio (Editor), Maxim Jakubowski, Giselle Renarde, Angela Caperton, Ella Regina, Andrea Dale, Gregory L. Norris, Kathleen Bradean, Alicia Night Orchid, G.S. Wiley, Jasmine Black, Brenna Lyons, Moondancer Drake, Eva Batonne, and Teresa Noelle Roberts—Phaze Books
Sapphistocated by Kathryn Lively (Editor), Alessia Brio, Jolie du Pre, Yeva Wiest, and Beth Wylde—Phaze Books

Jasmine

Lingerie of the Month

2010-03-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

WOW!

You can't go wrong with a classy, black chemise. I just love the lacy hearts. This is one I would wear again and again.

It's a pity though, I lost the link to it. I thought it was at Lingerie Diva, but I can't find it there. A lot of online stores sell the same pieces, but I've search the net and have come up empty. I guess it will have to stay in my online closet.

Jasmine

Lingerie Closet

2010-03-06T00:23:00.002-06:00

Costume Closet

2010-03-06T00:22:00.003-06:00

Astrological Reading

2010-02-25T15:12:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I don't put much into these things. But I do read my astrological sign with facebook apps. from time to time. And I thought a line in mine today was appropriate.

Art, romance or work can all make you smile.

These three are the same to me. Just thought it was perfect as I met and passed my writing goal today. I'm working on a WIP that has a deadline. I usually don't do deadlines due to my illness and never knowing how I will feel from hour to hour. But to met my goal, I need to write 300 words a day for 50 days. That gives me time to write the book and edit.

300 words doesn't sound like much, but for me it is so much more. I can sit down and write a couple thousand words at a time. The problem is if I do that, I will stop and not write again for days if not weeks. Schedules are hard for me to keep. If I do too much of anything, I tend to get sick for days. (scrubbing a floor yesterday was a bad idea) So a schedule of 300 words a day (and making dinner and getting the dishes washed) is a personal challenge of mine until the book is done.

Today I wrote 1,035 words. Plus I plotted out my next 300 words as I laid down to take a nap. I am a bit ahead of schedule as of today. But I have a couple of days of doctor appointments coming up that might set me back. Crossing my fingers they don't.

The story needs to be at least 15,000. I'm at 6,150 right now, pecking away at 300 words a day. I hope I plotted a 15K book and not a 40K. Oh well, we'll see. And I'll keep you posted.

Jasmine

Costume of the Month

2010-02-21T01:25:00.005-06:00

Since I love sexy costumes, I've decided to do a sexy costume of the month. I would have a whole closet full of these things if I could afford them. But since I can't, I'll just build an online wardrobe.

I would so wear this one. The whole thing, stockings, shoes and all. Too cute. And I love the sailor theme.

I'm not big on the ones that show off the stomach, but there are plenty of cute ones if you have insecurities.

Jasmine

The Next Big Trend in Writing?

2010-02-11T06:06:00.003-06:00

Cell phone novels? It seems they're pretty big in Japan and China right now with young people, but what are they?

"Novels" written and set out in text messages. Chapters contain about 70-100 words each and each chapter is sent out one at a time. You can find them for free in English at textnovel, but some of these are being made into books. One 15 year-old Japanese girl has made over $600,000 with her book.

Maybe reading is not a dying pastime for the next generation. It's just taking on a new form.

Read the article here.

Jasmine

Pajamas or Jeans?

2010-02-08T21:55:00.003-06:00

I hate when people go out in pajama pants, though I completely understand why. You're comfy at home all warm and snug. It's late at night and then your beloved child pipes up with a oh, by they way, I need such and such for school tomorrow. It's 40% of my grade. So what do you do? Change or just run out in the pajamas?

How about PajamaJeans? A new kind of pants have come out. They feel like pajamas but look like jeans. Check them out. I think I could go for it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/02/06/2010-02-06_pajamas_in_her_jeans.html

I would have posted the video, but the type of video is not supported by blogger. Sorry.

Jasmine

News

2010-02-01T10:51:00.007-06:00

I have an article out today in Avoid Writers Hell new ezine, Vol 2. It's under the heading of Writing Mothers.

HEARTreview has posted three new reviews for Feb.

A good writing pal of mine, Autumn Piper, has a new release out today Trouble Under Venus at Lyrical Press. What a cover!

Jasmine

Virginal Heroes?

2010-01-27T16:55:00.005-06:00

I read on yahoo today that the number of teenage pregnancies had rose in 2006 from what the numbers had been in the 1990s and are still rising. Oddly enough, I was talking to my teenage daughter last night about sex. At this time, she is in the mindset of waiting until marriage. Though, I am not disillusioned that that might change. We discussed how girls her age and younger were turning up pregnant at school. Yes, we live in Mississippi and it was number 5 on the list for rise. At least we weren’t number 1 like everything else.

I also asked her if she expected to marry a man who had waited. She replied with a yes. So I proceeded to ask where she thought she would find a man who waited. I wanted her to really think about it because I’m not sure the guys she’s hanging out with will fit that category.

Now that doesn’t mean they are bad kids, but let’s face it, do guys really wait for marriage? We live in an age where you’re an adult at 18. Yet we treat the group of 18-25 as children calling them young adults where once teenagers were thought to be young adults. More and more they are still living off their parents. And parents are allowing this. They take care of them financially and don’t require them to grow up. But they are. At least their bodies are if not their minds. By the time a girl is 25, she’s been able to have a baby for 12 years. In some cases even longer. We happen to be created with natural urges. And while we might be living longer, women still reach a point where her childbearing days are over. Yet we wait to married later in life after college and a career. In a lot of cases, a woman feels like she has to choose between kids and a career.

Historically, women have been the expected sex to wait until her wedding night. But even that has changed. Girls no longer see it as the moral thing to do. Sex is in their face from a very early age. If you allow your kids to watch TV at all, it’s drilled into their brains. Forget about the movies. There are rated R movies that I would let my kids watch before some PG-13s. They’re filled with sexual euphemisms from start to finish, but yet we tag these as okay for 13 year-olds? These kids are in junior high and no way ready to handle the responsibilities that come with having sex. Yet about 54% of all girls ages 15-19 are having sex. So what does that say about boys?

Okay, so what about the romance hero? How many romance stories have you read with a virgin hero? I don’t think I’ve read any. I’ve read some with the heroine being a virgin. Usually these are historicals or stories where she’s 18. (This does not include inspirational or Christian as I have not read those genres.)

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not preaching one way or the other about abstinence. I’m just observing the lack of virgin heroes in romance stories. Why? Because I’m writing one and curious as to what readers want. Does being a virgin make the hero any less of a hero? Does he have to have had sex with lots of women to be heroic? Does being a virgin actually mean that he couldn’t possibly be a good lover? What if your hero has chosen to wait? Are there no men in the world that could choose this?

I for one will actually think twice about writing a romance with a virginal hero again. Why? Because he’s moody to start with and really needs to get laid. Second, once he gets laid, that’s all he wants to do. I had plans to move this story along, but he’s getting sidetracked and wants to add about ten sex scenes. I had to put my foot down on that one. But he’s still insisting on at least three more than I had plan. Two, I’ve written. But he wants one more. Men.

So what do you think? Virginal heroes or not?

Jasmine

Book Trailer

2010-01-25T06:54:00.004-06:00

Check out this book trailer for Autumn Piper's upcoming release Trouble Under Venus. Coming Feb 1. from Lyrical Press.

Blurb:
For some love lasts a long time, for others a lifetime. Can theirs outlast space-time?

Randi’s summer vacation plans? Attending Professor Sudo’s Time Travel Academy so she can blast back to 1980 Miami and figure out where her father disappeared to. She’s the head of her class until hottie Mitch arrives disguised as a geeky geologist and totally messes up her meditation. Goodbye Soulful in Sedona, hello Yearning in Yoga. So long solo time-travel, hello pushy partner--who happens to be a buff tri-athlete, a sympathetic listener, and an ace FBI agent on a top-secret mission. With his help, she’ll conga her way into the Cuban mafia, try not to destroy the delicate fabric of the space-time continuum, dodge a few bullets, and solve The Mystery of the Missing Dad. And maybe fall just a little in love…

Content Warning: A new adventure in women’s fiction, with a heroine who boldly goes where no chick has gone before, tons of danger and intrigue, a roller-discoing Granny, life and death betrayal, steamy Miami nights and one hot FBI agent.

Buy Link

Jasmine

Diehard Fan…Or Bandwagon Jumper?

2010-01-21T20:39:00.004-06:00

In sports, you have two types of fans. First, you have the ones who are the true diehard fan. They stick with their team whether they’re winning or losing. They stick through the rough spells and always hope for a better outcome next season. Then you have the bandwagon jumpers. The ones who jump from team to team depending on who’s winning. And if you’re like my daughter, you go with the team who has the hottest guys playing for them.

Me…I’m a diehard fan. I’ll stick with my team through the losing streak and cheer anyway. Go Panthers!

So what about writing? Or reading?

I guess this could apply too. Maybe you stick to one or two genres. Or maybe you go with the market, reading or writing the next trend. Now of course, unless sports is your business, your income doesn’t really depend on what team you follow. So following the trend isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Writing is a business. I can see the positives and negatives in both writing approaches.
Staying with your one genre helps readers to know what your stories will be about. They can open the book and get the story they’d hoped for. You can build a fan base of readers and hopefully they’ll pass your name around. Plus, the more you write the stronger and more knowledgeable you get in your genre. On the down side, the market might not be strong in your genre, therefore buying fewer stories. And you could be alienation yourself from a huge reader base in other genres.

Now, on the other hand, if you follow the market it could be harder to build the “diehard fan” fan base. Most authors write under different names for different genres to let the reader know what type of story to expect in each book. But then you have to build fans for two different authors. Of course, you hope to land more contracts by writing what the publisher wants at any given moment. And hopefully the fans you make in one genre will take a chance on another genre written by you.

Both of these approaches could work. It really just depends on what drives you and how you want to write. I just can’t seem to write for the market. I’ve tried and I lose heart in the story. Or nothing comes out. I spend more time reading or researching than writing. And by the time I feel like I might be knowledgeable enough to write that genre, the market has changed.

It’s not that I will write one genre and one genre only. (Makes me think of Blades of Glory - We skate to one song and one song only.) I’ve tried my hand at a couple different ones. But I’m a romance girl with a couple of different sub genres I like. I have written erotica and mystery. But they just don’t seem complete to me without the romance.

Of course, hoping genres goes deeper than this. You have all kinds of sub-genres in romance. Some authors stay true to sub-genres and some hop around in this too. Again, I like to stay in a few or mix a few in the same book. I tend to stick with contemporary, but want to try historical and sci-fi. My current WIP is historical. I also tend to stick with erotic romance, but my current WIP is also a sweeter romance. Then, even if I don’t try to, at least half of my work seems to have a mystery going on. I’ve written a straight mystery. And I plan to write a sequel to that book. But even if the market moved from romance to mysteries, I don’t think I could stop writing romance. It was hard enough not to turn my mystery into a mystery romance. No. I consider myself a diehard fan, diehard writer and diehard reader.

So what are you?

Jasmine

Guest Blogged

2010-01-15T09:04:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone, I blogged at Avoid Writers Hell today. It's called Keeping the Ball in the Air. For anyone who feels like writing can be a juggling act between writing and family you might want to take a look.

Jasmine

Starving Artist? …Or Just Starving

2010-01-11T18:28:00.005-06:00

Everyone has heard the phrase “starving artist”. But in today’s economy, more people than just artist are plain starving.

This year over the holidays, I found it heartbreaking when the news and radio stations did stories on the local shelters. Reports of all-time-low food supplies with all-time-high requests for help. But not only did this stretch to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. In my community alone, two animal shelters were completely out of dog food. I imagine the last present people gifted this year was another mouth to feed. I felt horrible and donated what I could spare, which wasn’t much. Maybe bought 50 lbs of dog food.

What’s more is that hard working American’s in the land of plenty with jobs are finding it hard to feed their families. The budget’s tight. Stress is high. And people are having to change the way they live.

I feel blessed. I haven’t felt the crunch like some have. My hubby has a good job even if I had to give mine up. Mind you, I had to stop working for health reason not because of the economy. But we still lost a complete salary. So, I’ve changed a few things; took the steps most people start out with. I’ve cut the extra $20 here and there to places like Netflix. We really didn’t do a good job of sending them back anyway. Plus we have HBO and since we’ve been a customer with DirecTV for like more than five years, they gave us a year of Showtime for free. (I think it was Showtime. I don’t watch much TV anyway. That’s hubby’s department.) I also cut car insurance we were paying on a car that is broke down right now. With no money to fix it, why pay for the insurance? I also cut the temperature by five degrees. It seemed really cold at first and everyone complained. But after about two weeks of it, I think we are adjusting. Trimming these small things seems to have added up to just over a hundred dollars. (Not including the electricity. The verdict or bill isn’t in on that one yet.) To some, that might not be much. To others it’s a lot. But the big savings…

Eating out.

When I worked, I was too tired to cook. My health just would not support me working and running a family. We ended up eating out a lot. Both my husband and I ate out for lunch every day. And dinner was either takeout or some overpriced, prepackaged, readymade meal. We bought a lot of throw in the microwave and if we didn’t get takeout everyone fixed their own prepackaged meal. I know we had to have spent at least five hundred dollars a month on takeout. And I’m only talking about fast food or the cafeteria at work, not high-end restaurants. One meal at Sonic for a family of four is around forty dollars. But I had the money to blow then and no energy to do anything else. The grocery bill was anywhere from one-fifty to two hundred a week.

Now I don’t have the money. So, I’ve been cooking for the last month. I set up a menu and spent as little as I could at the grocery. I went shopping for two weeks, and I spent a bit under two hundred. I’m feeding a family of four, three meals a day. That includes kids’ lunches at school and soft drinks for my hubby at work.

So, what are we eating? Well, it isn’t steak. But we are eating. If I make a dinner for five dollar, we have saved twenty-five to thirty-five dollars when compared to takeout. But what can you make for five dollars? Last night I made a casserole. Mum, yummy right? It wasn’t that bad. First I cooked up a pound of ground turkey. Yes, turkey. Check it out. It’s better for your health than beef and cheaper too. I can get a pound of turkey in the roll for under two dollars. Sometimes you can find it already seasoned like taco or Italian. Then I made a box of mac-n-cheese. It doesn’t have to be the fancy noodles. You can get the cheapest and still buy Kraft for under a dollar. Then I added a can of condensed soup about a dollar. Last night I used cream of mushroom, but I like broccoli cheese better for this or any kind of cheese soup. Then I added a can of corn (about seventy cents) and threw in a package of biscuits (about a dollar). The only name brand in this was the mac-n-cheese. You’ll never know the difference from name brand or store brand soup or corn. Now this comes in at about five to six dollars. But guess what? I added one can of peas last night at about seventy cents and stretched the meal so that there were leftovers for my husband to take to work for lunch. Instead of him buying a plate at work for five-fifty, he took seventy cents worth of leftovers. Now we’re talking a dinner for four and lunch for one; forty plus five-fifty of eating out verses six-seventy. A savings of thirty-eight dollars. And the kids didn’t even complain because they had mac-n-cheese.

Another thing I have discovered is frozen meatballs. They come in a bag and you can even get store brand. I throw eight per person in the oven and heat up some spaghetti sauce. Then cut some hoagies for meatball subs and add some cheese; sliced or shredded works fine. Serve with chips or a better bang for the buck is fries. The meatballs are about five dollars a bag, the bread two to two-fifty and the sauce anywhere from seventy cents to two dollars depending on what brand and size you get. The bonus here is that there are enough meatballs in the five dollar bag to make this twice, cutting the price to two-fifty for the meatballs per meal. Bread comes six hoagies to a bag, leaving two for nice sandwich lunches. And if you make a menu and time it right, you can buy a large can of sauce and split it between the subs and a spaghetti dinner, which is another cheap meal.

Tonight is the trusted pot of beans with cornbread and turkey sausage; which, by the way, flavors the beans better than ham anyway. I buy a lot of different types of dried beans and add some of each kind to mix them. Soak them over night and cook them on low the next day. I season with the link turkey sausage, Zatarain’s Creole season (there’s also one called Tony’s Creole, but I like Zatarain’s better), an onion or minced onions and turmeric. I like black, red, navy, kidney or most any been. Lima not so good. Lintels are the cheapest and I add them for filling. They don’t taste too great on their own, but with the other beans, you’ll never taste them. And they are the best bean for you.

Artists have been starving for years. So, I bet we have a lot of great tips to stretch the food budget. I’d love to hear more great tips from all of you.

Jasmine

Eye Catching Cover

2010-01-08T14:48:00.003-06:00

I saw this cover and it caught my eye.

Ravenwing by Carol Mayer
Cover art by Amanda Kelsey
Published by Eternal Press

How beautiful is this? Amanda Kelsey is very talented. I love how the browns and greens flow seamlessly.

Blurb:

Astral Projection, peril... and romance.

Ravenwing’s voices have always protected her, and when they tell her to use her astral projecting powers to first help an injured cavalry officer, and then the war effort, she ‘travels’ and has a brush with death in the process.

Paranormal, Western, Romance, 24,120 words

Buy Link

Jasmine

Marital Affair Excerpt

2010-01-07T19:49:00.004-06:00

Excerpt:

“The test came back negative.” More bad news from Dr. Wendell.

Lucas Sinclair turned to his wife, Colleen, sitting in the plush leather chair next to him. The when-is-it-going-to-happen look was plastered all over her face; blank eyes, lips neither smiling nor frowning, and pale cheeks. He grabbed the tissues from the inside pocket of his suit coat and handed them to her. Her cold hands trembled.

“Why can’t I get pregnant?” Colleen turned her head away, wrapped her arms around her empty belly and rocked.

Lucas rubbed her back and she flinched, letting him know his touch was unwelcomed at this particular moment.

Dr. Wendell fumbled with the chart on his desk. “You’re a real estate agent, correct?”

When Colleen refused to answer, Lucas offered the information. “Yes, we both are.”

“How many hours do you work in a given week?” Dr. Wendell looked at him.

This was the part of the visit where Colleen clammed up and refused to participate.

“Fifty to sixty.”

“Uh hum.” He jotted a note down. “And the new house, are you settled in?”

“We still have some unpacking to do, but the worst part is over.”

Dr. Wendell turned to Colleen. “Mrs. Sinclair, are you eating healthy? Getting enough sleep?”

“Why does it matter? You’re acting like this is my fault, like I can just will myself to get pregnant. Well, I can’t. I’ve tried.” She stood and walked to the wall of windows overlooking the city. “Nothing I’ve done has worked.”

“Colleen, we’ve been through this, no one is blaming anyone. I’ve run the test on both of you. Twice. There is nothing physically wrong with either of you, so at this point we need to evaluate the stress of your lifestyle. That’s all.” Dr. Wendell pulled out a calendar. “You need to plan intercourse when you’re ovulating, eat healthy, exercise. Those sort of things for the both of you.”

“We’ve been doing that for two years. I don’t need another chart. They’re all over the house now.” Colleen grunted as she shredded the tissues in her hands.

Dr. Wendell set their file down and took off his glasses. “I know I’ve asked you before, but would you be willing to talk to my colleague? She’d be happy to help.”

Colleen spun around and glared at the doctor. “Colleague? You mean a sex therapist. Someone to tell me how to have sex. Please my man. What, I don’t eat right, sleep right, work right? Now I don’t fuck right?”

Hope you enjoyed. Get your copy today for .99 at Smashwords.

Jasmine

Marital Affair re-released

2010-01-06T19:44:00.002-06:00

Marital Affair has been re-released at Smashwords and with a brand new cover.

Blurb:

Lucas Sinclair is determined to give his wife Colleen her heart’s desire. Problem is, Colleen yearns for a child and they haven’t been able to conceive. With persistent pressure from their doctor, they agree to see a sex therapist who tells them to have fun and live out their fantasies. Colleen confesses to having one fantasy, but can she let go of her pain long enough to act it out?

This short erotica sells for $0.99. Be sure to grab your copy today, leave a review and let me know if you would like a sequel to this hot number.

Jasmine

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T11:34:00.005-06:00

2010! Life sure does pass one by. Especially when one is on muscle relaxers.

Bringing in the new year is suppose to be about new beginnings and changes. Well I don't plan to have any new beginnings. Well, none for a while. What I want is an end. A few ends really. Ends to all the new beginning stories I have on my computer. I know, that will probably change, but right now I want to finish my WIPP and maybe drag out some other stories and shape them up to ship them off.

My current WIPP is at 24k now. I squeezed in a couple Ks in the last week. The goal is to be complete with this WIPP by Feb 14.

I have a new story coming out scheduled for May 10 right now. It seems so far away. It's called 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes. It will be released by eXcessica. I'm excited about that. The authors at eXcessica seem to be a lively and fun bunch. They also have a new website they released today and a new bookstore. How fun is that?

My review site is growing all the time. We went over the 1,000 visitors mark. We have new things planned for 2010. Since the Christmas special went over so well, we want to hold a Valentine's special too. So if you have a published Valentine story and would like a review, get it to us. We are going to start a reader voted book of the quarter. Books that are rated t least 5 hearts will be in the running. Also, we opened our doors and are looking for reviewers.

I still have All for an Angel on sale for .99 at Smashwords until Jan 10. Be sure to grab your copy and use the coupon code GL28P.

Gabe Hawkins has dreamed of Amy Bradshaw since junior high, but a game of revenge from his twin smashed those dreams when Lou seduced Amy, impregnating her. Amy wants Gabe. But having Gabe in her bed would cost her custody of Angel. Gabe’s persistence is wearing Amy down. She agrees to one night together to live out her fantasies. Will her fantasies force her into an unbearable reality?

I'm looking forward to great 2010.

Jasmine

Christmas Special

2009-12-23T00:24:00.004-06:00

Get your copy of All for an Angel at the discounted price of .99 from now until Jan 10, 2010! Just use the coupon code GL28P when you check out.

Blurb:

Gabe Hawkins has dreamed of Amy Bradshaw since junior high, but a sick game of revenge from his identical twin Lou smashed those dreams when Lou seduced Amy and impregnated her. Amy is a woman who knows what she wants, Gabe. But having Gabe in her bed would cost a price she can’t afford to pay, custody of her daughter Angel. Threats from Lou force Amy to resist Gabe. For five years the threats have worked, but Gabe’s persistence is wearing Amy’s resolve thin. Finally, she agrees to one night with Gabe to live out her fantasies. But will her fantasies force her into an unbearable reality?

Jasmine

My Writing World

2009-12-22T14:52:00.002-06:00

2009 has been and up and down year for my writing. But the good news is I have a story slotted to come out from eXcessica on May 10 called 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes. I'm excited about this one. It's my longest story to be published so far.

I also have a current WIP I'm working on. I'm 22K into it. Not sure how long it's going to end up, but it's a historical period piece set in 1933. I'm excited about this one too. I've written about 4,500 words in the last 3 weeks. Which is really good for me because I have been struggling with my fibromyalgia for months now. And with the winter and bad weather coming, it doesn't look good for the next few months. Maybe things will settle down some after the holiday craze. Anyway, I hope to keep everyone updated on how the new WIP is going. And maybe 2010 will be the year I pull out all those unfinished mss. Maybe!

Be sure to check out my review blog HEARTreview to see all the Christmas stories I've been reading.

Happy Holidays

Jasmine

HEARTreview new layout

2009-12-10T11:31:00.003-06:00

I worked on a new layout for HEARTreview's Stocking Stuffer Special. I think it looks very festive and pretty. Check it out.

http://completeheart.blogspot.com

Jasmine

Wow

2009-12-05T12:24:00.006-06:00

It's Dec. and the another year has almost passed. I can't believe it. Things have been so hectic for me this year. My fibro just won't seem to get under control, and because of that and life, I have been AWOL from here. I have been keeping up with the HEARTreview blog though. So, be sure to check it out and see the latest reviewed books for Dec. HEART will also have special holiday review later this month. Date TBD. Looks like somewhere between the 14 and 19 as it is right now. I hope everyone will check it out. If you'd like a book reviewed by HEARTreview details are on the blog.

HEARTreview

I want to blog more in the new year. I would love to hear from readers to tell me what they want to see on my blog.

If I don't make it back on here before 2010, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with many blessing.

Jasmine

2010 EPIC Finalist

2009-11-18T09:28:00.002-06:00

Coming Together: Against the Odds is a finalist in the 2010 EPIC awards! I'm so excited as this book's proceeds goes to Autism Speaks.

Autism is a serious condition affecting more and more children and families everyday. If you are a parent, please give me a moment. Think about the first time your child hugged you, placed a sloppy kid on your cheek or said I love you, Mommy/Daddy. Do you remember? It was the most amazing feeling in the world.

Now picture your child with Autism. There are no hugs. No kisses. No I love yous. Sometimes you must walk away from your visit at the group home knowing without a cure, your child will never live with you or have a family of their own. And you can't let your mind wander to what will happen to your child once you've passed on.

Autism is a heartbreaking word for any parent to hear. I have two beautiful, healthy children. But autism entered my life when I married a wonderful man with a severely autistic child. Over the years, this child has grown into a young man and still, there is no cure. My heart breaks every time I have to watch my husband walk away from a visit with him.

There are a lot of great mystery themed stories in this anthology. My husband honored me when writing my story, MISSING PIECES, by letting me name my hero after his son, Addison. I get no proceeds from the sale of this book. As a matter of fact, no author does. But I ask you, on your next book shopping trip, whether it is paperback or ebook, please help honor all the Addison's in this world and buy a copy.

Get your copy at Phaze today!

Jasmine

Halloween Sale

2009-10-27T23:31:00.003-05:00

In the spirit of Halloween, ALL FOR AN ANGEL is marked down to $.99 at Smashwords when you use the coupon code HD97M . It's not a Halloween story, but I love the holiday and I love coupons. Grab your copy today as the coupon expires on November 2.

Happy Halloween!

Jasmine

Re-released

2009-10-17T09:29:00.003-05:00

Another week in 2009 gone. The days are drifting by faster than I can count. I hope everyone is having a wonderful year so far.

With much thought to what I want do with my two books that had been published with Mystic Moon Press, I have now published ALL FOR AN ANGEL at smashwords. Check it out and tell me what you think of the cover. I had to tweak it a bit.

Jasmine

Rainy Weekend

2009-10-12T09:32:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was cloudy and rainy. And it looks like today is going to be the same. I spent all day yesterday editing my latest contracted book titled 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes. I managed to get through the entire book. I hope that means it's smooth and not just my eyes glazing over because I have read it so many times.

And since I have the holiday off of work today, I'll probably be doing something glamorous published authors have the privilege to do- laundry. Yep I have a whole heap to do. My fibromite body is telling me that it probably won't get done and start with what will get the kids through the school week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Columbus Day. Honestly, I think it's a holiday we celebrate because people who get off work on this day, don't want to give up a day off. I mean, I don't care how crazy the holiday is, I just love my day off of work with the kidos in school.

Jasmine

Update

2009-10-06T07:57:00.007-05:00

I hope everyone had a great summer and is looking forward to a better autumn. There's a nip in the air, football on the tube and comfort foods on the stove. Yep, it's definitely fall season. So on with the updates.

I sold a story to eXessica! It's titled 0 to 69 in 5 Minutes. I'm excited to be back in the published world after Mystic Moon Press closed doors. This will be my longest story to be published closing out at about 48K+. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of this.

There are new reviews listed on my review site HEARTreviews. Go check them out, you might find your next story to read. Or you could request a review for your latest published or contracted work. Be sure to follow the blog and see the new reviews as they come out monthly. You could even leave a comment or get a discussion going about one of the books.

I've been working on a new WIP. It was going pretty good, but I'll have to set it aside until I get done with edits and stuff for my newly contracted book.

So tell me, what's up with all of my readers? New books, WIP's, or read anything good? Let me know what's going on in your life.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-08-16T00:01:00.004-05:00

Today's book trailer from Piper Denna comes with a bonus! Two trailers and a website made just for your fantasies. Titled Fantasy Mountain, this is one hot book available from Sinful Moments Press that I got the privilege to review for Dark Diva Reviews.

Blurb:

Fantasy Mountain - the resort where no want is too wacky, no urge too unusual, no passion too peculiar.

Meet the owners:
On her remote ranch, Victoria has built a world-renowned business with her ability to create any sexual scenario requested. She has it all; power, money, independence. The only other thing she wants is the one she knows she’ll never have, and he works just down the hall.

Brett has all but given up hope of breaching the wall around Victoria’s heart. In fact, he’s engaged to be married back in London in only two months. But he knows Victoria has desires; he’s seen them firsthand. When one night of passion rekindles old feelings, can he finally fulfill the ultimate fantasy of the woman who’s made it her mission to satisfy everyone’s desires but her own?

Whatever the erotic dream, it can come true at Fantasy Mountain.

The People

The Resort

Website

Buy Link

Review

Jasmine

Fibro and Me

2009-08-13T00:01:00.003-05:00

Wow! Fibro has been kicking my butt lately. It seems that my depression isn't getting better. I'm tired and ache all the time. Just getting out of bed is a struggle these days. They (and just who are they?) say that fibro doesn't get worse. "They" must not have fibro. I know it doesn't shorten my life span. Nor does it progress like cancer. But I swear I get more and more symptoms as time passes.

Anyway, I don't want to whine about it.

So how many of my readers out there have fibro or know someone who does? Because the next time they say they don't feel good, they probably don't. But if you are out there reading this, leave me message about your or your friend's struggle. Sometimes I like to know that I am not alone in this illness.

Tell me what you do to make yourself feel better. I like to have a piece of dark chocolate everyday, at least 70% or more cocoa printed on the label. It seems to help me with my fog that I get bad. Try Endangered Species. I love their chocolate and they are an eco-friendly company that donates 10% of the profits to help support endangered species. You can read all about their eco efforts, their chocolate, and many other things at their site.

Jasmine

Writing Resource

2009-08-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

Do you know the difference between "all ready" and "already"? How about "foul" and "fowl"? How about is the expression "little to none" or "little or none"?

There are tons of these issues when you write. But There is a great website that one of my writing buddies made me aware of. So now I'm passing it on. It's just too good not to.

Common Errors in English

I could get lost for hours on this page. You don't even have to be a writer to enjoy this resource. Have fun and post back what you learned. I would love to hear from you.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-08-02T00:01:00.005-05:00

Today's Book Trailer is from Autumn Piper titled Waiting for Revenge by Lyrical Press.

Blurb:

One good heartbreak deserves another.

Mandy plans to leave her husband the minute their month of counseling is over. How can she forgive his outrageous affair? It would almost be funny if the consequences weren't so harsh. They've got kids, and families with strong -- and warped -- opinions on marriage.

Her aunt thinks she should take a page from the black widow spider. Her brother's begging to avenge her broken heart, and their marriage counselor offers to play the willing victim in some payback sex.

While her clueless husband launches a campaign to win her back, Mandy meets Adam, the perfect shoulder to cry on. Will perfect justice prove just how sweet revenge can be when you wait for it?

Content Warning: Real people aren't all good or all bad. Neither are the characters in this story. The shade of right or wrong you see may depend upon whose glasses you are looking through.

Buy Link

Jasmine

UPDATE

2009-07-31T10:30:00.007-05:00

So what has happened this month?

I think the big thing is MMP shutting their doors. I was never paid one cent for the stories I sold. I have not been contacted by the owner and I don't expect I ever will.

In light of all the bad news about MMP, I did something good for others. I cut my hair and donated it. Just because some people in this world have to be cruel and take advantage of others doesn't mean I have to. So about 11 inches of hair was cut and will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I chose this charity because I wanted to honor a lady who I work with (on my evil day job) who is battling cancer. So in honor of Jane, I said bye-bye to my hair.

Speaking of charity, I have two stories out with Coming Together . The first one is called The Journey Home and it is in Coming Together: Al Fresco. I know I've talked about this one before and even did a contest for the book. But the second one came out in print right before MMP so I haven't had time to do much promo on it.

The second story is called Missing Pieces and is in Coming Together: Against the O dd s. I'm very proud of this story for the charity it will benefit Autism Speaks. Autism is very close to my heart since my step-son is autistic. I also think my story rocks in this anthology. (blush) So go out and grab yours today. It's for a very good cause.

From the response of the poll, I see that no one would buy an ezine. I think with everything on my mind the last few weeks, it didn't occur to me to let people sign up for free and sell advertising spots to pay authors for their work. So, I might add another poll for feedback on that. But in the meantime, I am planning to open review site soon. HEART...Where Romance Begins. Right now there isn't much there, but be sure to check back and add them to your blogs to follow.

I also submitted a story with Cobblestone-Press. Waiting for the answer on that story. And hoping for a better month in August.

Jasmine

Green Idea

2009-07-27T00:01:00.003-05:00

Want to get a daily green tip in your e-box? Check out Ideal Bite and sign up for their daily tips. I enjoy reading this. They have a few different tips to choose from. You can pick one or all of them. I signed up for the daily tip and for the Mama. However, I unsubscribed to the Mama because it was geared towards young children. Which is okay and it had good tips, but my kids are older. Enjoy reading.

Jasmine

Eye Catching Cover

2009-07-25T08:10:00.003-05:00

I had to change this post from the cover I had picked for yesterday. So this is coming out a day late. I had picked a cover from Mystic Moon Press, but since they are not in business anymore, I thought it was wise not to use a cover with their logo on it.

So today's (yesterday's) eye catching cover is Fortune's Honor by Jamie Craig, published by Amber Heat.

BLURB:

Clay Putnam has always been the responsible one in his family. He runs the family ranch, Good Fortune, by himself and takes care of his ailing mother. He is happy to make sacrifices so his brothers can follow their own dreams, especially his younger brother, Ty, a bull-rider on the professional rodeo circuit. But he leads a very lonely life, and he longs to meet a woman who could love his home, and his family, as much as he does.

Paige Murphy fell for Ty’s boyish charm and exuberance, and she agrees to spend her summer vacation at the Good Fortune Ranch while Ty follows the rodeo all over the western states. She is happy to be engaged to Ty. Until she meets his older brother. Clay is mature, thoughtful, and very attractive. She thinks he might be interested in her as well, but they resist their mutual desire out of love and respect for Ty.

Passion and a surprising tragedy, however, drives Paige into Clay’s arms, but honor, not infatuation, dictates who they are...

Genres: Contemporary / Cowboys / Western (Modern Day)
Heat Level: 2
Length: Extended Novella (36k words)

BUY LINK

All I can say is YUM! A hot guy with a gorgeous backdrop, now this is a cover.

(I haven't read the book, so I am not endorsing it. Only the cover. However, my interest is piqued.)
Jasmine

Poll

2009-07-19T10:03:00.001-05:00

Please take the time to read my poll and vote.

This is something I'm thinking about doing. I would love input on the subject. I know there are e-zine like this out there.

Jasmine

PLEASE READ!

2009-07-18T08:43:00.002-05:00

If you follow my writing or have thought about buying one of my stories from Mystic Moon Press, DO NOT! They are not paying their authors and in my opinion, are a scam.

This is only my stories from Mystic Moon Press. Not any of my other publishers.

Sadly, I have to leave town and will not be back until late tonight or tomorrow sometime if anyone has questions. I will be back online by Monday at the latest.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-07-16T00:01:00.007-05:00

Today's trailer is from a brand new author on the rise, Maya Blake. She has a brand new book out titled Hostage to Love from The Wild Rose Press.

(Isn't the cover beautiful!)

Blurb:

Crushed by betrayal, Belle Winkworth-Jones flees the shambles of her short-lived marriage, only to be kidnapped by a vicious rebel solider determined to keep her for himself. Nick Andreakos mounts a ruthless rescue to save the wife who walked away from him, even though he's resentful Belle could dismiss their marriage so easily.

Buy Link

Jasmine

WOW!

2009-07-12T16:28:00.002-05:00

Where has the time gone? And where Have I been?

Sadly, I have been fighting depression. And I am still fighting it. I can't seem to scrounge up the energy I wish I could. I'm not making any promises, but if I can find the energy, then I hope to be back into the swing of things next month. However, I might just find that I take the summer off and get back into things in the fall when the kidos go back to school. We'll see.

Jasmine

Shout Out Winner!

2009-05-03T15:30:00.002-05:00

And we have a winner

I put everyone's name in a pot and let my son draw out a name. And the winner is ..........

PIPER!

Congrats, you have won an e-book copy of Coming Together: Al Fresco. But...

It's not over yet. I'm a softy, so I let my hubby draw another name for a consolation prize. And that winner is ..........

BECKY!

Congrats, you have won an e-book copy of your choice of either Marital Affair or All For an Angel.

Thank you everyone who gave me a shout out. I enjoyed this contest, so stayed tuned, I'm sure I will do this contest again in the future.

Jasmine

Checking In

2009-05-03T15:09:00.002-05:00

First, I have to apologize. My internet has been down, so I have fallen behind schedule with the blog. The good news is that it is up an running now. Living in the country has the drawback of bad internet connection.

I am going to try to catch up, one day at a time. However, today was the last day for the Shout Out contest. So I am keeping schedule with it. And I'll pot it in my next post.

Jasmine

Green Idea

2009-04-27T04:00:00.000-05:00

A lot of people who suffer from fibromyalgia also suffer from chemical sensitives (MCSS). Now I can't say that I have MCSS. What I can say is that I itch and have burning sensations where cleaning chemicals touch my skin. I also have this problem with makeup and metals (jewelry and such.) Metals also make my teeth ache. I can't touch wood products that are not smooth. So even books that are printed on low quality paper hurts my hands to touch.

Is this MCSS? I don't know. But here is what I do know.

I got this new product at Wal-mart. It's called a bathroom stone made from Earthstone . It's made for heavy duty cleaning and scrubbing. It's made with no chemicals and is 100% Eco-friendly and 95% recycled material. I saw it in the cleaning isle the other day and said, what the hell, I'll give it a try.

This morning I tried it out on my shower. WOW! This thing really works. Now it took a little bit of time to get it started. You have to use water to make it work and it takes a couple of minutes for the water and the stone to interact with each other. But once that takes place, it was amazing. I had the residue on my hand, which according to the label is safe to wash down the drain, and no itching or burning. It didn't irritate my eyes, skin, breathing...nothing. And it was easy to use. I did have to scrub a bit, but I have hard water and I hadn't found anything to get a deep clean. So I'm thinking next time I won't have to scrub as hard since this got that deep clean.

According to their website, they also make stones for the kitchen, grill, pool and to remove paint. They also have a growstone that is made from recycled glass. You use it in place of soil and plants grow in them. Cool.

I definitely recommend this product for anyone. And who knows, changing to more green products might help my fibro and other conditions people suffer from as well as helping the planet.

Jasmine

Eye Catching Cover

2009-04-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

This months cover is Night Visions by Ariana Dupre'.

Blurb:

He appears to her every night, chasing her until she's trapped at gunpoint. A stalker who wants her dead. Terror jolts her awake with vivid scenes of her death. The problem is that Angelina Benton's prophetic dreams always come true. The day Jared Maxwell walks into The Variety Vine, the nightmare becomes reality. Circumstances force Angie to work and live with Jared. If she refuses, she loses her home and business. If she agrees she may lose her life.

Love at first sight isn't possible in Jared's mind. When he meets Angelina his world turns upside down. He's determined to gain her trust and win her love even though he has an ulterior motive for being in Dansburg, Virginia.

Strange events unfold that put Angie's life in danger. Despite her fears, she realizes she's falling in love with the rugged man from her dreams. Can she overcome her fears and suspicions to fulfill her destiny or will trusting Jared be the ultimate mistake?

Publisher Note: This book was previously published elsewhere under the same title, but has been revised.

This one looks to promise to be a chilling tale. (Again I have not read the book. I am only judging by the cover on Eye Catching Cover Day. After all, cover artists deserve the spotlight too.)

Buy Link

Jasmine

Shout Out Contest!

2009-04-18T15:46:00.003-05:00

Contest Time

In honor of my latest story coming out Earth Day, April 22, I'm holding a contest. I'm going to make this real easy for you. For a chance to win an ebook copy of Coming Together: Al Fresco anthology, all you have to do is give me a shout out.

Yes, that's it!

Just give me a hey, hello, or I always like to hear I love your blog. Leave me something. Are you a writer or reader? Even say hey and tell me your latest release. (Coming Together is all about charity so I would like them to get most of the exposure so just the name and publisher please, no long excerpt.) If you're a reader, you can tell me your favorite author (and it doesn't have to be me, but I love being buttered up. Not in the literal sense though.) If you're shy, just leave a hello and that will be fine.

I'll announce the winner in two weeks, May 3.

Coming Together: Al Fresco

The latest in Alessia Brio's charity anthology series, Coming Together: Al Fresco features stories in which the action takes place without a bed... or a bedroom. All proceeds benefit Conservation International. GREEN is the new black!

Check out the line up of this book!

Adam & Eve on a Raft (Robert Buckley)
Afternoon of a Faun (Helen E.H. Madden)
Anal Alley (Sommer Marsden)
Ask for It (Jude Mason)
Blonde on a Harley (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
For Want of a Woodpecker (Ripley Patton)
Foreign Parts (Rachelle Le-Monnier)
Hailey's Comet (Jae Knight)
Happy Endings (Jamie Hill)
Hidden in Fog (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
Mahalo (Allison Wonderland)
Making Rain (Angela Caperton)
Midnight Ménage à Trois (Heather Lin)
Natural Tease (Arya Rewan)
Outside in the Rain (Andrea Dale)
Pantheism 101 (Alessia Brio)
Paradise Valley (Michelle Houston)
Reclining Buddha (Lisabet Sarai)
Rites of Consummation (Nicole Gestalt)
Silver Bells and Cockle Shells (Shanna Germain)
Slow Burn (Sophie Mouette)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Rita Winchester)
Sparrow Takes Flight (Giselle Renarde)
The Journey Home (Jasmine Black)
The Roof (Selena Kitt)
Untouched Perfection (Moondancer Drake)
Wet as Spring (Robin Elizabeth)
Wildlife (Randy Foster)

So what are you waiting for? Give me a shout out.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-04-16T18:15:00.003-05:00

Today's book trailer is for all you vampire lovers out there. MY SUN YOUR SHADOW from Suzannah Safi; her new book just released from Mystic Moon Press.

Blurb:

Cat Mckibben wakes up one night to find herself chained to a bed at the will of a mysterious dark stranger. Yet his allure is more than she can handle as he entices her to follow him down a path of self-revelation and self-indulgence. When given to her fantasies, Cat finds the stranger more powerful than she imagined-and his identity is revealed as Dracula. Set out to take for himself a queen, Dracula informs Cat that her secret heritage makes her the predestined queen. Cat faces a decision-to stay with Dracula and enjoy a vampire's life teeming with sensual bliss, or the alternative fate that awaits her when she wakes up once again in her former nightmarish reality . . .

Buy Link

Jasmine

Fibro and Me

2009-04-13T04:00:00.001-05:00

I've been reading some articles about fibro on Everyday Health and I realize that without the support of my husband, I could never do the things that I do. Now, I knew this before I read the articles, but they reminded me of how good he is to me.

Everyday activities that the normal person does is hard for someone with fibro and holding down a job and running a household is a huge challenge. Without my husband I could never work full-time.

Here's a look at a typical day for me.

My husband gets up and showers. Then he makes sure the kids are up and get on the bus. (My kids are 11 and 14 so they just need some prompting.) He walks the dog and wakes me up. I go through the morning in a daze. Sometimes I can think clearly, but most of the time I can't. Because of this, I keep things at my evil day job like a tooth brush and tooth paste. (Yes, this sounds nasty that I could forget to brush my teeth in the morning, but at least I know this and have taken measures to combat it.) When I'm ready to go, he grabs the cat food and feeds the outside cats. Then he drives us to work.

This is a blessing that we work at the same place. If he didn't drive me every morning I'm not sure I could make it. We work on different floors but we have lunch together everyday. After work, my husband drives us home or to the store. If we need to shop, we tackle Wal-mart with a plan. We split up and grab items on different sides of the store and work our way to each other. We inspect each others cart and make sure we didn't forget anything.

Once we are home, we carry in the bags while the kids put the groceries away. Most of the time he cooks dinner. I try to cook at least one meal a week. Sometime I cook two. I feel guilty about this because before I got sick, I had dinner on the table every night at 6. A lot of those dinners was cooked from scratch too. (I digress.)

My night consist of working on my writing in some form. Or spacing out with a computer game. The housework is done by my husband and kids. I do the laundry on the weekends. Sometimes I do the dishes or we all pitch in together to clean the kitchen or living room good.

He never complains if the wash isn't done, that he drives everywhere, cooks, cleans and get the kids off for school. Actually, the three of them have their morning routine down and I just get in the way if I'm up. He loves this time with the kids. They come to me for everything under the sun. So the morning is his time to have the kids and he loves that they would rather have him up in the morning than me. (And I'm perfectly fine to let them have it while I get some more zzzz's in.)

He's never told me my illness is in my head or that I'm just lazy. He supports me and listens to when I don't feel good. He also massages my back from time to time and tries to work the knots out of my muscles that form in people with fibro. (Sometimes I can get my daughter to, but I have to pay her.)

I am truly blessed to have my husband to walk by my side. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary on the 8th and everyday our relationship gets better and better.

Jasmine

Author's Web Page

2009-04-07T04:00:00.001-05:00

This months Author's web page is Maura Anderson.

Ms. Anderson writes m/f and m/m and many are paranormal. She currently has books out with Aspen Mountain Press.

She also has books contracted with Aspen Mountain Press, Aspen Mountain Press' Man Love Press line, and Ellora’s Cave.

Wow! What a cover.

Be sure to check out Ms. Anderson's Link page. She has quiet a long list of helpful sites and plenty of blogs to check out. And in this economy, who wouldn't want to check out her free reads page?

And don't forget to read her bio! Wow, were does she find the time for everything?

Her page should keep you busy for hours. A great way to procrastinate from that glaring WIP you've put aside. (Oh come on, if you're an author, you know the one I mean.)

Jasmine

And it only took three months.

2009-04-04T21:01:00.003-05:00

I discovered the little post option link at the bottom of the create page. Now I can write my blogs when I feel up to it and schedule them to be released on the correct day. Thus helping me to stay on schedule. How cool is that? And it only took three months for me to find.

This should help me so much more to stay on schedule. I can't promise it will solve everything, but I have three blogs written and scheduled to post on the correct day and in the morning hours instead of late at night after I get home from work.

Now If I would stop procrastinating and finish my WIP.

Jasmine

Book Trailer

2009-04-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

Today's book trailer is on the The Actor's Guild Series by Charlotte Holley. The first one is the new book covers and the second one has the original book covers.

Book One Blurb:

McCann's Manor: Portal

Elizabeth Carr and her friend Kimberly Henson are psychically gifted and have worked together for years to help unfortunate souls find peace and go into the Light, a calling which has brought them much joy and adventure—and trouble and heartache.

When John Carter, internationally acclaimed screen actor, meets Liz and Kim at a party and tells them of McCann’s Manor, they accept the invitation to live at the Manor for a year try to help its restless spirits.

They soon find themselves in the midst of a puzzle that could prove too much for even their honed paranormal skills. Nothing is what it seems. The doors Liz and Kim open may not be so easily closed, should they change their minds about the endeavor they have taken upon themselves, and a secret more sinister than they can imagine is waiting for them inside the passages of McCann’s two hundred-year-old Manor . . .

Check out the review of book one from Night Owl Romance.

Book Two Blurb:

The Bakery Murders: Challenge

Liz Carr and Kim Henson got more than they bargained for when they agreed to move into McCann's Manor and rid the place of unfriendly spirits.

Nothing they had experienced in their ghostbusting careers could have prepared them for what lay ahead. They solved the mystery of the deaths of Leonard and Missy Tatum, as well as the murder of Benjamin McCann two hundred years before, but they never guessed that was only the beginning, nor could they have dreamed of the strange creatures from another world waiting to invade their lives.

Now death stalks them on all sides as they attempt to unravel the enigmatic questions surrounding Benjamin McCann and the beautiful house he built . . .

Check out the review of book two from Huntress Reviews.

Book Three Blurb:

Whispers From The Past: Vendetta

Whoever said the past is dead and buried never knew the evil wizard Arvashan or his fiendish plan to avenge himself on those who caused all the trouble at the very beginning . . . Liz Carr and Kim Henson find they have only skimmed the surface when it comes to the mysteries of the past and their lingering affects on the present. They are about to learn their lives and those of John Carter and Mark Adams are hopelessly tangled with Arvashan’s in a way they could never have expected.

The four friends, the local priest and the ineffable Benjamin McCann himself, have worked hard to return peace to McCann’s Manor, only to find each step forward has brought only more repercussions, leading them deeper into Arvashan’s diabolical schemes. Now the ancient sorcerer, infuriated by their success in freeing his captive souls, makes his demands, offering Liz an ultimatum she can never hope to accept or live with.

Liz has a few weeks to set her affairs in order and return with Arvashan to the past and a fate she has no memory of, or Arvashan will kill everyone she loves. The situation calls for a level of cunning and skill the friends will somehow have to find within themselves, along with a mastery of magic greater than any they possess, in order to emerge victorious over the ancient nemesis. But there is more . . . much more . . . and they are running out of time . . .

Buy Link

Jasmine

April Goals

2009-04-01T16:06:00.002-05:00

This year is moving by so fast. If I don't dig my heels in and get this WIPP done I'm not sure I ever will. And that's sad really because I am about 3 chapters away for the last period. I found that looking over my goals every few days for March made me get my butt in gear and complete the tasks. Maybe it will keep me focused this month as well.

Stay on my blog schedule. This month I have more trailers and a cool author website. Plus another eye catching cover. One that I fell in love with. This month's so you want to write a book will be about research.
This month I'll be reviewing a longer book for Dark Diva Reviews so I might only get one done this month, but it promises to be an outstanding read.
I have a story coming out this month on earth day in an anthology, so I plan to do some promoting.
Submit All For An Angel for reviews.
I'm planning on a contest this month- so stay tuned.
The biggest one of all-FINISH my WIPP!

Wow! Now that sounds like a big list for me. It is also my 10 year anniversary this month, so one night goes all to my hubby. (Yeah okay, I have to give him another night as well since I have to go shopping for his present. UGH! What do you buy for 10 years? I all ready promised to wear a dress and heels to go out to dinner with him.)

Well, wish me luck with my goals.

Jasmine

March Updates

2009-04-01T15:34:00.002-05:00

I am a day late on this. My back has been hurting me, so I finally went to the doctor and she gave me some pain medicine that knocked me out. I went to sleep last night after I got home from work at about 6:30 and I didn't get up until about 11:30 today.

Anyway, back to my goals. I stayed on track with my blog, all but 2- last night and my fibro and me post. I couldn't think of anything to say that didn't sound like I was whining, so I skipped that post. But it will be up in April.

I haven't subbed anything and I don't have anything out with anyone. So nothing to report on there. I did finish all my goals for the month. I even started on chapter 14 of my WIPP. And I ordered business cards. I thought it was time since I have 2 books out and 2 coming out. By this summer I'll have a back list!

I also have some trailers and author websites scheduled for the next couple of months. I feel great about that having to write it down on a schedule. Makes me think people are reading my blog. So, if you are keeping up or checking in with my blog, I'd love for you to give me a shout. Leave a comment even if it just says hey. I loved to know if you enjoy reading my rantings, any certain blog title you like or even don't like. Let me hear from you.

Jasmine

Green Idea

2009-03-27T21:46:00.008-05:00

A lot of people are concerned about the environment these days. I have to say I am not a green freak, though I should be. However, I have taken small measures to leave a little smaller print behind. Mind you, I did say LITTLE.

What have those things been?

Well, when we moved into our new home, we bought the cork screw type light bulbs. And might I say, it cost a small fortune to put them in the whole house. Well over a hundred bucks. But at my old house, and I do mean OLD, the bulbs would blow within a week. I spent so much money on light bulbs and I always had to grab a box at the store. Some of the lights in my house got so bad I just gave up changing them. I've been in my new house for about a year and we haven't changed one yet. They did take a bit to get used to but I think they are well worth it.

I got dryer balls, hoping they would work. I love them. They do leave much less lint so I don't have to use tons of lint rollers (less money and waste). They also eliminate wrinkles if you get the clothes out when they are still hot. And even though it's not a great deal of time, the cut down on my drying time by 10 minutes per load on normal heat. I do have an older dryer, so they might cut down even more in a newer one. Now I tend to do wash on the weekend and all at one time. That way when I put the second load in the dryer the machine is already heated, using less energy. Plus, if I do six loads, which I usually do at least six, the 10 minutes cut down from the dryer balls saves me an hour of work.

I've also started cutting off my computer monitor at night. I have no clue how much this is saving me, but it has to be something. A dear friend of mine has about seven computers in her home. She claimed that when she started shutting down all the computers (not just the monitor) at night her electric bill went down $70 a month. That's $10 a month per computer. Where I work, we started shutting off the monitors at night to save on electric. We can shut off the computer because upgrades are made at various times. Anyway, I work for the government and we have at least two hundred plus computers, maybe even three hundred. Now when you're talking about that many monitors being shut off, that's a nice chunk of change to save the taxpayers considering if every government office in the US would take this small step at the end of every day.

I bought reusable shopping bags from Wal-mart. This saves a TON of plastic bags. Now, I do still get plastic bags now and then. I use them around the house in small trash cans, to scoop the litter box or clean out the car. But you can get at least three or four plastic bags of stuff in one reusable bag and it's easier to carry. Plus they sit up better in the trunk than the plastic ones. We like to see how much we can get in one bag. I think they're great.

Okay, so that's not much. I am researching places to recycle at. I did recycle when I lived in Florida, but I can't seem to find anywhere in Mississippi close since I don't live in town. Some centers are just for town residents. I think I have found a place to take clear plastic #1 and #2. While this isn't much, it's a start.

Plus my anniversary is coming up in April and I want some sort of compost container.

And the BEST green idea is to buy EBOOKS. No paper, no shipping packages or gas to use and they take up way less space.

Yes, these are all small steps but it's start. I'll have more cool ideas each month.

Tell me what you do to keep the Earth green.

Jasmine

Eye Grabbing Cover

2009-03-24T04:00:00.001-05:00

This cover grabbed my eye the first moment I saw it. This sort of cover grabs my eye because I love historical. I love to see the setting and get a sense of where the story takes place. Don't get me wrong, I love to see a well oiled rock hard chest. But the cover with a great old house, castle, cabin or anything close will get first look from me.

The story sounds good too. This one might have to go on my TBR list.

Blurb:

Love can be so... unexpected.

In the spring of 1935, understated beauty Eva Edwards is widowed. A blessing to be sure. Having long since left England, a rare talent for music and notions of love behind, her one focus is keeping her farm and raising a child not her own—no matter the sacrifice and struggle.

Born of wealth, veterinarian Tate Prescott Brown has come to the dust of Saskatchewan’s rural Qu’Appelle District to find independence and take possession of his farm—Eva’s farm. Now, in an effort to solve a legal misunderstanding, Tate faces a sacrifice and struggle of his own: to do what he thinks is right by Eva ... or what’s right for his heart.

Buy Link

Jasmine

Book Review

2009-03-20T13:01:00.010-05:00

For anyone who doesn't know or hasn't made the connection, I've started reviewing books for Dark Diva Reviews. I'm so excited about it. They just changed their layout and it's so gorgeous. I got one of those cute divas that looks just like me. *wink, wink* The staff is wonderful and a hard working group of people. Be sure to check out their site.

So in the spirit of my new endeavor, I'd like everyone to check out my latest review.

FORGET ME NOT by Ericka Scott.

Summary:

September 11, 2001 was a momentous day in history. It was also the day Letitia Davies lost her memory and began seeing ghosts. Despite the loving care of her husband, she never regained any memory of her past.

When he unexpectedly dies of cancer seven years later, Letitia travels back to Napa, California, to celebrate her birthday and plan out her future. There she encounters a sexy man who claims to be her real husband. Although her mind doesn’t remember him, her body does and his touch inflames passions she’d only dreamed of before.

In order to take her mind off her lust for the handsome stranger, Letitia investigates the death of a ghostly beauty. However, the series of clues she finds leads Letitia right back to her past and could either unlock her mind or destroy the only memories she has left.

Read the complete review here.

Buy the book here.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-03-16T19:13:00.004-05:00

Today's book trailers are from author Aubrie Dionne.

Buy the Book Here

Buy the Book Here

Jasmine

So You Want To Write A Book

2009-03-10T21:52:00.002-05:00

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

A very important part of writing is reading. I mean if no one read then why would anyone write? The best way to learn the craft is to read. Yes, I said learn the craft. You don't have the "writing talent" to write. But I do think you have to love what you write.

The reading writer reads many different things.

You should always read current releases in the market your aiming for so you know what is selling. That doesn't mean you have to write the book to the market. I think you should write the story of your heart. But you need to know what your chances are of it selling and where it fits in the market.

Want to write an ebook? Download a few, kick back and relax without even getting out of your pj's or filling the car up with gas. Plus, no shipping fee. (I love that about ebooks. Shopping at home.)

Read books on the craft of writing. You can find books that walk you through the entire process or books that break down each element of a book. Such as, having problems with conflict. (I hate that part. It's so mean.) But if you need help there are books to help you. One such book that has been recommended to me by an author friend is Stephen King's, On Writing. I haven't read it, but I've heard it rocks.

I have read How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey. It was pretty a good place for me to start as it covers all areas of a novel.

I really spent most of my time reading articles on the web, posts on yahoo groups and I've took a few online classes.

Harlequin has a good web page if you are marketing to them.

There are a ton of great articles on suite 101.

And let's not leave out Charlotte Dillon's web site.

Well, I'm pretty sure that will keep you busy for a while. And if not, you can always grab one of my ebook to reads.

Jasmine

These things are cool! And a bit scary.

2009-03-09T23:25:00.002-05:00

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you.

But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft.

You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily.

You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and you pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

Jasmine

Odd But Dead On!

2009-03-09T23:09:00.001-05:00

You Are Cranberry Juice

You're sassy and even a bit snarky at times. You have an edge to you.

And while you can be brutally honest, you're still quite a charmer.

You are confident, modern, stylish, and dazzling. You have an overpowering personality.

You're a bit of an acquired taste. People often wish you were sweeter.

What Kind of Juice Are You?

Well, maybe not the modern and stylish. But, I'm too lazy to try to be stylish.

Jasmine

Author Website Day

2009-03-07T11:07:00.010-06:00

This month's author website is the talented Piper Denna. Ms. Denna is another new author to watch. Her books are filled with raw emotion. She'll have you laughing, cursing and crying all on the same page. Her characters and stories are unique and a bit off the beaten path, which in my opinion is something we all want to read-New and Fresh.

Piper Denna

You can also check out her website just for her new release Fantasy Mountain. Fantasy Mountain

Her books have had rave reviews from places like Dark Diva Reviews, Night Owl Romance and Coffee Time Romance.

Jasmine

Book Trailer Day

2009-03-02T07:03:00.003-06:00

Today's trailer is ALL FORE REVENGE by Piper Denna.

Who says revenge is best served cold? The hotter, the better…

Playing other courses was never a handicap for Ali's golf pro husband. But now that she's got proof he's been cheating, [she decides] it's time to even up the scorecard with hottie cable-guy Cam.

Cam makes a perfect revenge partner. Their steamy days and erotic nights are pure pleasure...until he falls in love.

What happened to her simple plan for a harmless sexual escapade? Somehow, revenge doesn't taste as sweet now that her heart's ended up in Cam's hands and he wants to make their twosome permanent.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and flashbacks of a f/f encounter.

Watch the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9-hItyspCY&feature=channel_page

Buy the ebook:

http://www.onceuponabookstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12&products_id=37

Buy in print:

http://www.amazon.com/All-Fore-Revenge-Piper-Denna/dp/0981890555/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235999438&sr=1-1

Jasmine

March Goals

2009-03-01T14:52:00.002-06:00

Sleep.

Well, now that's I've done that most of the day, I should get on to my writing. And set new goals for myself this month.

1. Find out where my stories have been sent for review.

2. Review at least two books.

3. Update my myspace page.

4. Update my Manic Readers page.

5. FORCE myself to FINISH chapter 13 on a WIP that I have pushed off for to long.

6. Keep on my blog schedule.

7. And if I'm really good and get 1-6 done, start on chapter 14. (We'll see.)

Oh, the things I dream!

Jasmine

Update

2009-03-01T14:14:00.006-06:00

Wow. Feb. blew by like the wind. I did better with my schedule this month, but I still didn't post very time I should have. I did update the site with some links. I still have some more stuff to work on. And I did start chapter 4 to my WIP, I just didn't finish it. And I didn't get those 5 reviews out. I got one out, then I found out that my publisher has started offering this service. So, I'm not sure who they have sent it to.

Okay, That was my goals. Now for news. I had a release this month. It's #1 right now on the best seller list at Mystic Moon Press. Everyone can check it out at http://www.mysticmoonpress.com/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=458

I had a story accepted for Coming Together: Al Fresco coming out on Earth Day in April.
http://allromanceebooks.com/product-comingtogetheralfresco-14361-166.html

I got 4 Divas on Marital Affair from Dark Diva Reviews. http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/erotic.htm

I also did my first author interview conducted by the very talented Amanda Young. http://www.amandayoung.org/2009/02/27/tgif-interviews-jasmine-black/

Drop over and check it out.

I started reviewing for Dark Diva Reviews.

Well, that about does it. I didn't finish anything new. I did start something new, but I haven't subbed anything this month. Maybe I'll feel better in March and my muse will get her butt back from Hawaii.

Jasmine

Contest Winner

2009-02-21T22:41:00.002-06:00

First, thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog and many thanks to the ones who entered my contest. Since I know people's name and my hubby doesn't, I let him pick his favorite story. So the winner is...

Ericka Scott!

Congratulations, I'll send you a PDF copy of All For An Angel. Happy reading.

For everyone else, I'm sure I'll have more contest in the future.

Jasmine

The Journey Home

2009-02-20T12:44:00.003-06:00

My short story THE JOURNEY HOME has been accepted for Coming Together: Al Fresco. CT:AF will be available in April on Earth Day and will benefit Conservation International. It will be in e-book format only to support a Greener world.

There are tons of authors in this anthology. Check it out at http://allromanceebooks.com/product-comingtogetheralfresco-14361-166.html

Happy reading!

Jasmine

Post V-Day Contest!

2009-02-15T22:38:00.006-06:00

Want to win a free e-book? Then make me laugh! Post your funniest date story for a chance to win a PDF copy of All For An Angel. Contest ends Saturday Feb 21. So post those stories. 18+ only.

Jasmine

Fibro and Me

2009-02-14T19:48:00.002-06:00

So, I'm one of the lucky ones who have been blessed with Fibromyalgia.

Fibro-my-what?

Yeah, that's what I said too. Like what is this thing I can't pronounce or spell?

Well, the word fibromyalgia means wide spread pain.

Okay, that doesn't tell me much. I know I'm in pain most of the time. Pain free moment are far and few in between. I can't remember the last time I had one of those moments, let alone one of those days.

The name really doesn't describe the chronic illness. The symptoms seem endless, no one know what causes it-even though everyone has a theory-, there is no cure as of now, and nothing really seems to work to help it.

There are tons of articles and website addressing fibro. Like :
http://www.fmaware.org/
http://www.fibromyalgia.com/

There are also tons of products on the market that claim to "cure" fibro. I don't put much stock into them. I just don't because they are everywhere. If they really cure the illness, why aren't doctors using them and why do they cost like the $19.99 or $29.99 price like you see on tv products?

But what does it really mean to some who has it? I like how this website describes it. http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/aboutfibromyalgia.php

"The underlying cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown. Research is ongoing, but there is agreement that Fibromyalgia patients have an enhanced pain sensitivity and response originating from the central nervous system. Traumatic illness or injury may trigger the disease. Additional research is continuing to determine other factors that may lead to the development of Fibromyalgia including: genetics, environment, autoimmune dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies and connective tissue disease.

Frequency, degree and location of pain vary from day to day. Any given day a Fibromyalgia patient's level of discomfort may range from mild muscle stiffness to extreme, radiating pain so severe they feel completely debilitated and unable to carry out simple activities."

Okay, so what are the symptoms? Just to name a few.

pain and fatigue
sleep disturbances
morning stiffness
headaches
irritable bowel syndrome
painful menstrual periods
numbness or tingling of the extremities
restless legs syndrome
temperature sensitivity
cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)

Oh yes, that list above is just a few of the symptoms and lucky me, I have them all. I'm also very moody and I have depression. Hence- stay on the meds. I think the one that drives me crazy the most would be the numbness and tingling I get in my feet and legs. That really drives me up a wall. Oh yeah, and don't touch my fingertips or I might just slap at you or snap. I can't stand to be touched on the tips of my fingers. Hurts like HELL. But these are still just a few things that I deal with on a daily basis.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to complain or whine, just raise some awareness and give my readers a glimpse into my day to day life. Next month I won't go through all the background story to fibro and I'll probably make fun of something stupid I did because of it. Like today I had to pick up my daughter from dance camp at school. Twice, yes twice, I had to turn around from where I was because I forgot to turn correctly. The second time, I drove right by the school and forgot to turn into the parking lot. Yes, you have permission to laugh. I am.

Jasmine

Author Web Site

2009-02-07T11:27:00.005-06:00

Time for another author's web site. This month I'd like everyone to check out Sutton Fox's web site. Fox is a great new author who writes romantic stories with horsepower. Her series Traveling Circus is emotional writing at its best. Her characters are real and will have you rooting for them from the start. This is a series that anyone can read. It would be a great series for a teen to read her first romance all the way up to any woman who wants a sweet romance with depth.

Check out her stories- Lion Tamers and Center Ring- the first two book in the series. The third book-High Wire- will be out soon.

http://suttonfox.com/

Be sure to check out her new blog Fox Tales at http://suttonfox.blogspot.com/

Jasmine

Feb. Goals

2009-02-04T13:51:00.004-06:00

February is a short month and we are already at day 4. But here is my list of goals for the month.

1. Keep with my blog schedule. Hopefully my Internet will stay up and allow me to do so.

2. I have a story coming out on the 14th, so I would like to send it out to at least 5 review sites.

3. Work on my blog site and add things like links.

4. Start chapter 4 on my WIP.

Okay, short list yes. But like I said before, this is a short month and my daughter has me gone 4 nights a week with ballet and play practice. Plus, I have fibromyalgia and I took a nasty fall off my front steps. I landed pretty hard and I'm afraid my fibro is flaring up. Of course, I expected it to when I fell, since fibro symptoms flare when there is stress or trauma.

Jasmine

I'm Back

2009-02-04T13:38:00.002-06:00

My modem is in and my Internet is up and running. I know I have fallen behind from my schedule, but I'm going to try to get back on track.

Jasmine

UGH!

2009-01-20T18:41:00.003-06:00

Okay, I am on the library computer right now. Not really where I want to blog at. Anyway, my modem burned up/out, something. It just quit working. So, who knows when I'll be back up and running. I'm not going to get to post my review like the schedule says, but I wanted to let everyone know where I was. Hopefully it will not be long to get the new modem. Being an ebook author pretty much dictates to the fact that you need Internet. UGH! I hope I can live a few days without it, but don't count on it.

Jasmine